Velocipede construction



July 27, 1937. H. L. KRAEFT 2,038,244

VELOCIPEDE GONSTRUCT ION Filed June 19, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.HERMAN A Kent-F7 ATTORNEYS July 27, 1937. H. 1.. KRAEFT VELOCIPEDECONSTRUCTION Filed June 19, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 gimllllii"inil INVENTOR.

Hs/zwa/Y Z A e/m-Fr BY ATTORNEYS.

July 27, 1937. H. L. KRAEFT VELOCIPEDE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 19, 19553 Sheets-Sheet 3 Hag/VAN L. fies/=7 Patented July 27, 1937 UNITED STATES2,088,244 VELOCIPEDE CONSTRUCTION Herman L. Kraeft, Cleveland Heights,Ohio, as-- slgnor to The Murray-Ohio Manufacturing Company, Cleveland,Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 19, 1935, Serial No. 27,402

10 Claims Which frame will nevertheless be strong and rugged.

Further objects include the provision of an improved cycle frame,particularly in respect to the manner of mounting or supporting thenecessary wheels, steering fork and saddle post.

A specific object is to provide a velocipede frame construction,facilitating the attachment and deinstalled and serviced electriclighting system for a velocipede or cycle.

Other objects will appear hereinafter in connection with the followingdescription of the preferred form illustrated herewith.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation show ing the inventionembodied in the velocipede; Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the rearportion of the frame, the plane of the section cutting the rear or lowerportion of the back-bone being indicated by the line 2--2 in Fig. 1;Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view, taken along the line 3-3 on Fig.1, showing the construction of the back-bone at one portion thereof;Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary sectional views, taken in vertical planesas indicated by the lines 44 and 5-5, respectively, on Fig, 2, the planeof Fig. 5 being also indicated on Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detailsectional view, showing the inner surface of a wheel fender and meansassociated therewith to hold a wheelin place on its axle; Fig. '7 is afragmentary sectional view of the steering fork mounting, as indicatedat 'I-l on Fig, 1, showing further details of construction of the frame;Fig. 8 is a central longitudinal fragmentary sectional view of thesaddle post supporting portions of the frame and also a simple saddleconstruction; Figs. 9 and 10 are detail sectional views of the post andsaddle construction as indicated by the lines 9-9 and Ill-40 on Figs. 1and 8; Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevation similar to Fig. 1,incorporating the pre ferred lighting system and apparatus; Fig, 12 is atransverse cross-sectional view of the head-light arrangement, asindicated by the line I2-I2 on Fi 11; Fig. 13 is a fragmentary centrallongi- 5 tudinalsectional view of the head-light arrangement, asindicated by the line IB-IS on Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a fragmentarylongitudinal sectional view, showing a portion of the back-bone andbattery supporting unit in position on a wall 10 of said back-bone andFig. 15 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view, as indicated by theline I5-I5 on Figs. 11 and 14.

The principal parts of the velocipede illustrated are: the back-bone ormain longitudinal 15 frame member I, the rear platform or wheel support2, carrying the rear axle 6 and rear wheels R, the front wheel fork ormounting 3, which includes the handle bars t as part of itsconstruction, as well as suitable bearing means 5 for the front wheel F.The drive, as shown, comprises a pedal and crank assembly P.

Referring to the back-bone, (see particularly Figs. 1 to 3 and Fig. 7),this comprises two complementary hollow halves I0 and II in telescopingrelationship at a longitudinal seam I2. The seam I2 is formed bymutually superposed edge marginal portions of the shells III and II, asshown particularly in Fig. 3. These marginal overlapping portions extendalong the top of the back-bone, from the platform 2 for the entirelength of the back-bone (interrupted, of course, by the saddle post andsteering post, to be later described), and thence (in this embodiment)around the front closed end of the back-bone at I211. The seam maycontinue underneath the closed end any desired distance. For allpractical purposes the seam may terminate substantially at I217.

The underside of the back-bone has inturned flanges I4, which arepreferably spaced apart as shown in Fig. 3, along the entire undersideof the back-bone. The spacing provides an opening suflicient to receiveone of the electrodes necessary in order to spot or line weld theoverlying flanges forming the seam I2. It should be mentioned that oneof the flanges forming the seam I2 is offset from the general plane ofthe metal in order to provide a continuous shoulder l5 which the edge ofthe other flange portion abuts 5 to determine i. e. maintain uniformwidth of the back-bone in assembly.

Suitable decorative ribbing is shown on the shells I0 and II at It.

For reenforcing the underportion of the back- 55.

bone, and closing as much of the gap formed between the flanges l4 asdesired, there is a plate I! integrally joined to the flanges l4,preferably lying inwardly from the flanges, the lower end of the plateI! extending into face-to-face contact with the forward surface of theplatform 2 as at IS. The platform is preferably downwardly flanged onall sides, as indicated at 2| and 22, the latter being the end flangeswhich are suitably cut away as at 2201. (Fig. 1) to clear the axle. Itwill be seen that the back-bone and platform may be securely tied bywelding the lower end of the plate I! to the forward platform flange.

The plate I! forms a convenient support for an electric battery casingor bracket and is especially adapted for this, as will be laterdescribed in connection with Figs. 14 and 15.

To further effect a. strong connection between the rear or lower end ofthe back-bone and the transverse platform 2, I provide upstandingflanges 20 on the central web of the platform adapted to enter the openlower or rear end of the back-bone and extends in faceto-facerelationship to the side walls thereof. These flanges 26 are preferablymade by forming an opening as at 20a in the web of the platform andbending the metal of the web upwardly from the opening, this leaving agap below the backbone permitting the insertion of suitable electrodesboth to effect welding of the flanges 20 to the side walls of theback-bone and to effect welding of the plate H to the inwardly extendingmarginal flanges l4.

As illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the axle 6 underlies the web portionof the platform and extends beyond it at each end. The axle maybesecured in place by sheet-metal clips 23, having generally cylindricallyformed portions 24 embracing the axle and oppositely extending legs 25adapted to be spot-welded e. g. to the underside of the platform. Toprevent the axle from rotating, the same may be provided with nibs 26,adapted to extend through complementary slots in the generallycylindrical portions 24 of the clips.

Alternatively, the axle may be removably suspended from the underside ofthe platform or axle beam, as by a bracket arrangement such as shown andclaimed in my prior application, Serial No. 7,171; (not shown herein).

The flanges 22 e. g. at the outer ends of the platform carry sheet-metalfender members, which extend in shrouding relation to the wheels,portions of the fenders extending into endwise overlying relationship tothe axle as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The fenders may comprise generallycomplementary shell members 30 and 3!, secured together along a medianseam at 32, as by welding together inturned flanges 32a of therespective shells. The inner shells 30 may be removably secured to theend flanges 22 of the platform, as by appropriate bolts and nuts 33,(see Figs. 2 and 4).

To assemble the rear wheels and axle, the wheels are slipped over theoutwardly projecting ends of the axle and the fenders then attached asabove described. The ends of the axles are peripherally grooved, as at34, beyond the wheel hubs 35 and suitable sheet-metal brackets 36,secured as by welding to the inside surfaces of the outer fender walls3|, have slots 36, one being shown in Fig. 6, which embrace the axleends and lie in the grooves 34, thereby both securing the wheels inplace and providing outer supports on the axle for the fenders. Thelatter function is important, because the users often stand on thefenders in coasting.

It may be mentioned that, by virtue of the devices 3436, where the axleis adapted to be removably supported on the platform, as illustrated inmy co-pending case, the fender members-may be non-detachably secured toor left on the platform during assembly of the wheels and axle onto thevehicle and removal therefrom; the wheels being assembled on the ends ofthe axle, and the axle then being secured by such removable brackets. Inany event, the devices 36 enter the grooves 34 to retain the wheels andsupport the fenders.

Referring now to the front fork supporting construction, (seeparticularly Figs. 1 and 7), the inturned flanges I l of the back-bonesections l0 and II are connected by a continuous flange 40 which isintegral with a tube 4!, as by being welded to it at 42, the upper endof the tube projecting from the top surface of the back-bone through anappropriate opening 43 formed by circularly cut-away portions of theupper walls of the back-bone sections. This flanged tube forms a swivelsupport for the fork 3, the upper end of which is tubular, as at 44, andsubstantially fits the inside of the tube 4|.

The upper end of the tubular fork portion 44 is split in the usualmanner (not shown) and receives the lower end of the steering columnmember 45 of the handle bar assembly, and the parts M and 45 are clampedtogether, there being a ring 36 embracing the tube 44, provided with aset screw 46a, the inner end of which bears on the tubular portion M.

The ring 46 may have, integral therewith, a forwardly extending bracket46a, to which a suitable head lamp l'l may be secured in convenientfashion.

Referring now to the saddle post supporting arrangement, Figs. 8, 9 and10, the post, as shown, preferably comprises a section of spring steel50 of generally rectangular shape, having a generally horizontal portion5l above the back-bone on which the saddle is carried and a diagonallydownwardly extending portion 52 entering the back-bone through arectangular opening 53, which cuts the seam l2 and both top wallportions of the shells l0 and l l.

The downwardly extending portion 52 of the post has upper and lowerbearing supports on the back-bone, one inside and one outside of theback-bone assembly.

The support for the lower end of the post comprises a generally U-shapedsheet metal bracket 54, the inner surfaces of the legs of which areproperly spaced to embrace and support the post, permitting considerablevertical adjustment thereof without disengaging the bracket. An openingis formed as at 55 in the closed end of the U as by milling across thesame and forming a slot which is closed adjacent both narrow edges ofthe post. The shape of the bracket 54, when viewed in plan, is shown inFig. 9 only (in broken lines). It will be noted that the side portionsof the brackets are flanged outwardly as at 56 underlying the inturnedflanges I4 of the back-bone, the flanges of the bracket being rigidlysecured thereto by appropriate means, welding, e. g.

The upper support for the saddle post comprises an L-shaped bracket 56,secured to the upper wall of the back-bone, as to both shells l0 and I,an arm 51 of the bracket extending upwardly through the rectangularopening 53 into forwardly abutting contact with the rear side of thepost. The arm 51 may be clamped-to the post by a generally c-shaped clip58 (see Fig. 9), this being arrangedto non-rotatively embrace andsupport a nut 59 for a set screw 88 extending through a rear opening inthe clip, 58, thence through the nut and into engagement with the rearface of the arm 51.

The saddle is carried on the top side of the rearwardly extending arm 5|of the post by a clamping arrangement, somewhat similar to that justdescribed, which secures the post to the back-bone. vThe saddle propermay comprise (i. e. include) a one-piece stamping 82 on the underside ofwhich, centrally thereof, is a spring steel leaf 63, the central portionof which is downwardly bowed-to rest on top of the post extension 5l.The ends of the leaf spring are turned downwardly as at 64, to abut thetop surface of the post extension. A hollow bracket is secured to theunderside of the saddle, embracing both the seat post portion 5| and thespring 83, as shown in Fig. 10; and the portion of the bracket whichunderlies the post extension and spring is adapted as by reason ofupstruck tongues 86 to non-rotatively embrace a nut 6'! for a clampingscrew 88, the operation of which is obvious from Figs. 8 and 10, and theabove description. The saddle may thus be adjusted along the rearwardextension of the post and the post may be slid up and down in itsbearing supports and be securely locked in adjusted position.

Referring now to Figs. 11 to 15, inclusive, the modification there shownis principally in relation to the lighting system. This may comprise acentral light having a bulb L and paired side lights with bulbs L; thelatter having no lenses or reflectors, as illustrated.

In adapting the main frame for this particular lighting arrangement,both shells l8 and II of the back-bone may terminate as at 18, Fig. 13,the forward closure for the back-bone being in such case effected by aseparate cup-shaped casting 'I|, supporting the bulbs, contacts, switch,

etc. of the lighting system.

The casing ll may be retained on the forward end of the back-bone inclosing relation to it, simply by friction, or suitable oppositelypositioned screws 1 la may be provided, as suggested in Fig. 11; thescrews entering suitable threaded openings in the side walls of theback-bone.

The front wall of the casing II has a central opening 12 for supportinga conventional lens and reflector assembly I3 for the bulb L, supportedin place, as will be hereinafter described. The continuous side wall ofthe casing II has rearward extensions 14, one at each side, the rearportions of which may be turned outwardly to form apertured flanges forsupporting the parking light bulbs. As shown, however, separate brackets15 are secured in face-to-face relationship with the extensions 14,these brackets having outstanding ears l6, centrally apertured toreceive the threaded shanks of the light bulbs and make ground contacttherefor with the cycle frame. The bulbs L in the form shown are notprovided with reflectors or lenses.

The center terminals of both bulbs L and the center terminal of the bulbL are suitably connected, as by insulated wires 18 and I9, respectively,with switch terminals 88 and 8| insulatingly mounted on a cross strip83, within the shell II, and carried as by a pair of screws 84, see-Figs. 12'and 13. The ends of the wires 18 and 19 may be simply solderedto the respective light bulb center contacts and the respective contactelements 88' and 8|, but more elaborate screw or spring clip attachments(not shown) may be provided, as desired.

Mounted on the strip 83 in line with the terminals 88 and 8| is anelectric switch terminal 85, connected with an electric current supplywire I88, the terminal 85 being likewise insulated from the metal of theframe, (from the strip 83 e. g.). The terminal 85 may comprise a bolt orrivet, the

head of which secures a spring leaf having rear- -wardly and forwardlyextending arms 86 and 81, which normally lie in slightly spaced relationto the contacts 88 and 8|, respectively.

The arms 88 and 81 are arranged to be selectively depressed against thecontacts 88 and 8| by a sliding switch member or button 88, mount-' edto ride in a slot 89, in the top of the casing TI. This switch member 88has suitable lateral extensions 88 underlying the metal of the shell atthe margins of the slot to prevent withdrawal of the switch member fromthe slot and to hold the button in operative relation to the arms 8'5and 81 when moved back and forth. When the switch member'is in theposition shown in Fig. 13, the lower surface of it presses downwardly onthe spring arm 81 and turns on the bulb L and when drawn back toward therear end of the slot the arm 88 is depressed to turn on the side orparking lights L. The source of current, to be presently described, is,of course, grounded to the frame to complete the electrical connections.

. The brackets 18 forming the side light mountings may be given a morefinished appearance by the use of suitable sheet metal shells 9|attached to the side walls of the back-bone in buttressing relation tothe outstanding ears of the brackets. These shells are semi-conical, andtheir forward ends correspond generally to the shape of the ears, (shownin Fig. 12) and the shells decrease in cross-section toward the rear, assuggested in Figs. 11 and 13. The semi-conical shells 9| receive theends of the wires 18 through slots 82 in the back-bone side walls (seeFig. 13) and the shells may be secured to the side walls l8 and H bysuitable lugs 93 on the inner edges of the sheet metal forming theshells; the lugs extending through small openings in the side walls l8and H and being bent over on the in- Y sidesurfaces of said walls.

For supporting the reflector and light bulb assembly 13, within theshell 1|, a spring wire retainer 96 in the general shape of a bow-leggedhairpin is shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The closed upper end 81 of theretainer is adapted to be hooked over a central forward extension of thecross-strip 88 and the two legs of the retainer are appropriatelyshaped, being hooked as shown at 91, to engage-ears 98 extendingupwardly toward each other from the lower wall of the shell I I, andpreferably formed from the metal thereof. Connecting stretches of thefastener engage the rear side of the reflector lens assembly, holdingthe same firmly in place at the central opening 12 of the casing H. Thefastener insures ground connection between the bulb L and the framethrough the metal reflector. In order to release the reflector-lensassembly it is merely necessary to press the two free ends of the wiretogether, and move them in a rearward direction, relative to the shellll, thereby detaching the hooked end portions 91 from the lugs 98.

The supply wire I88 connected with the switch terminal 85 leads throughthe hollow back-bone to one terminal of a suitable battery, the otherbattery terminal being grounded to the frame.

The battery is conveniently mounted on the closure plate ll of theback-bone construction, previously described, and the mounting is shownin detail in Figs. 14 and 15. The battery may comprise dry cells B andB, supported by a sheet metal bracket IOI-, having a base I03 and anupright wall or web I04, from which cylindrically formed arms I05 arebent alternately, one in one direction and the adjacent one in theopposite direction, thus forming a generally cylindrical clasp for thedry cells. At the rear end of the upright wall I04 is an upstandingbracket I01, to which a spring terminal I08 is suitably connected. Thelatter presses forwardly against the adjacent end wall of the cell B andgrounds the battery. The cell B has its central pole in contact with theend wall of the adjacent cell-B and the latter has its center pole incontact with part of a conventional spring terminal or clip IIOinsulatingly carried on an upstanding spring arm III of the bracket. Thewire I00 is suitably connected with the clip IIO.

As a suitable detachable mounting for the bracket ml, the plate IT hasapertures at I and I2I underlying the base I03 of the bracket, and theseapertures are, in effect, of sufiicient longitudinal extent to receivespring clips I22 of mutually similar construction riveted or otherwisesecurely fastened to the base I03. The clips have arms I23 with noseportions I24 adapted to be sprung over crossing portions of the plateIl, so as to enter smaller openings I25 in the plate II. By thisarrangement the battery support may be attached to the plate by settingit down on the plate with the arms I23 aligning with respective openingsI20 and I2I and then bodily shifting the support to cam the noseportions of the arms I23 under the bridging portions of the plate II, sothat these nose portions will enter respective openings I25. The batterysupport is detached, by just the opposite procedure, as will be obviousfrom Fig. 14.

Servicing of the lighting system, as in making connections between theconductor wires, switch elements and bulbs, requires taking off thecasing I I. To provide sufficient access to the interior of said casing,the battery casing is ordinarily disconnected, and allowed to slideupwardly along.

the plate IT, as pulled by the wire I00, as far as necessary in order togain the desired access into the shell II to make the connections, afterwhich the battery support is easily reattached to the plate.

I claim:

1. A velocipede frame construction comprising two hollow sheet metalmembers joined together longitudinally of the tricycle to form a hollowback-bone, said back-bone being open at one end, a sheet metal platformadapted to support the rear wheels of the vehicle, said platformextending across said open end of the back-bone, having a flangeextending into the interior of the backbone in face-to-face relation toone of said sheet metal members, and rigidly secured thereto.

2. In a velocipede, a hOllOW sheet metal backbone having a generallyhorizontal portion with an aperture in its top wall, an apertured.bracket materially below the aforesaid aperture and in alignmenttherewith, said bracket being secured to opposite portions of theback-bone, said apertures being adapted to slidably receive a saddlepost, and means rigidly secured to the back-bone and adapted to clampsuch saddle post in vertically adjusted position in said apertures.

3. In a velocipede, a hollow sheet metal backbone having an upper walland an aperture therein adapted to receive a saddle post, said backbonebeing generally open on its under side, an inverted U-shaped bracketarranged to bridge said open under side of the back-bone and extendupwardly into the interior thereof, and an opening in the upper portionof the U in alignment with said aperture for receiving the lower end ofsuch saddle post between the arms of the U.

4. In a tricycle, a hollow sheet metal back-bone member adapted forsupporting front and rear wheels, an opening in the top wall of saidmember adapted to receive a saddle post, a bracket secured to theback-bone and having an arm extending adjacent such post, a clip adaptedto surround the post and the upwardly extending arm, said clip havingmeans thereon to nonrotatively embrace and support an internallythreaded nut, and a clamping screw engaging the threads of said nut andbearing on said upwardly extending arm to clamp the arm and posttogether.

5. In a velocipede, a longitudinal back-bone and a transverse wheelsupporting beam rigid therewith adapted to support a rear wheel axlebeneath it, means secured to the beam and adapted to outwardly overhanga wheel on said axle, said means having an open ended slot adapted todetachably engage such axle beyond the wheel in a manner to retain thewheel.

6. In a cycle frame, a hollow sheet-metal backbone, generally open onits underside and having oppositely directed inturned flanges, and aplate forming a bottom closure for the rear portion of the back-bone,the side marginal portions of the plate being secured to said inturnedflanges, the rear end of the plate extending beyond the backbone forface-to-face contact with a wheel supporting platform and being adaptedto be rigidly secured thereto.

7. In a cycle, a back-bone made of sheet-metal, closed on its top sideand having inwardly extending spaced flanges on its underside, a tubeadapted to support a steering fork, said tube being disposed at thefront end of the back-bone having a substantially continuous flange atits lower end overlapping aforesaid flanges and secured rigidly thereto,and an opening in the top wall of the back-bone receiving the upper endof the tube.

8. As an article -of manufacture, a backbone member for a velocipedecomprising two curved channel shaped sheet metal shells, with relativelywide upper flanges assembled in mutually overlapping relationship, andrelatively narrow lower flanges spaced apart a suflicient distance tofreely receive a welding instrument between them, the depth of thehollow beam thereby formed being materially less than twice thehorizontal width of the beam so that a relatively short weldinginstrument may be inserted between the spaced narrow flanges and appliedto the overlapping flanges inside the beam.

9. A velocipede backbone, comprising two hollow, elongated, sheet-metalshells of channel shape adapted to form, when assembled, a hollowelongated beam, a flange of one shell having a marginal flange portionoffset from the plane of the sheet-metal of the flange to provide ashoulder surface longitudinally of the beam, and a flange of the othershell'having its longitudinal marginal portion extending in face-to-facecontact with said marginal flange portion, and secured rigidly thereto,with its edges in abutting relation to the shoulder, the other twoflanges -of the channel shaped shells being spaced apart and lying onthe under side of the beam, and separate means rigidly connecting saidflanges near the end portions of the beam.

10. In a cycle frame, a back-bone comprising 10 two substantiallycomplementary channel shaped sheet metal shells having mutuallyoverlying top marginal flange portions rigidly secured together to forma hollow beam, and inwardly extending lower flanges which are spacedapart, and a plate forming a bottom closure for the back-bone, the sidemarginal portions of the plate overlapping the inwardly extendingflanges and being secured rigidly thereto.

HERMAN L. KRAEFT.

